Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x
Report: Rockets, Wolves rebuff Knicks' request to poach coaches
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks' coaching search is reportedly off to a sputtering start.

The Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves refused the Knicks' request to speak with head coaches Ime Udoka and Chris Finch, respectively, ESPN reported Tuesday night.

The news comes a week after former Villanova coach Jay Wright reportedly stated that he would not be a candidate to take over for the fired Tom Thibodeau.

According to multiple media reports, the Knicks also are eyeing Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd. However, The Athletic reported Tuesday that the Mavericks expect Kidd, 52, to remain with them. According to ESPN and The Athletic, the Knicks have not yet asked the Mavericks if they can talk to Kidd, whose contract runs two more seasons.

Thibodeau was ousted days after the Knicks made the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000, with their playoff run including a six-game second-round victory over the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.

In five seasons with New York, Thibodeau, 67, compiled a 226-174 record, leading the team to the playoffs four teams. He also was head coach of the Chicago Bulls (2010-11 to 2014-15) and the Timberwolves (2016-17 to 2018-19) and owns a career mark of 578-420 during the regular season.

Udoka, 47, led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his lone season as Boston's head coach in 2021-22. He was suspended by the team for the following season due to a violation of team policy after allegedly having an improper relationship with a female staffer and ultimately was fired. Udoka coached the Rockets the past two seasons, producing a combined 93-71 regular-season record.

Finch, 55, just finished his fifth season in charge in Minnesota and led the Timberwolves to the postseason for the fourth year in a row, including Western Conference finals appearances the past two years. He has a 209-160 regular-season coaching record.

This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Former NBA MVP could be nearing the end of his career
NBA

Former NBA MVP could be nearing the end of his career

For the past two seasons, Joel Embiid has been dealing with a knee issue. The former MVP underwent surgery in April to try to repair his meniscus, the second time he's received such surgery in the past 12 months. Embiid recently sat down for a tell-all interview with ESPN's Dotun Akintoye, where he detailed the struggles his body is currently going through. "We're not going to push anything," Embiid said. "For my whole career, I felt like we never took that approach ... We don't have a timeline. Hopefully, sooner rather than later ... It's all about the results ... If I come back early enough and I'm still not myself, guess what? You're not winning any games." Embiid's struggles have left the Sixers in a precarious situation. President of basketball operations Daryl Morey has built the entire roster around the star center's unique skill set. Philadelphia has constructed a team to go as far as Embiid can take it. It makes sense, then, that Embiid is just as frustrated with his injury-induced absences as the rest of the Sixers fanbase. In a July 27 appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Sixers beat writer Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer shared a unique take on the big man's recent interview and the messaging he's been putting out recently. "I think Joel may know that the end is near, and this is just me saying, and it's kind of like explaining to people what he's been going through," Pompey said. "Because rarely do you have a guy tell you how much pain (they're in) and how much they're going through. The thing I took from it was no matter who is there, the culture is the same. And I feel like Joel Embiid knows that it may not be this season, but the end is near. Maybe he feels as though he can't play to the level he used to. I could be wrong. He could come out and have another MVP season. But that was my takeaway." Embiid is probably one more lost season away from making such a difficult decision. He's only suited up for 58 games over the past two seasons, 39 in 2023-24 and 19 in 2024-25. Embiid doesn't project as the sort of player who would accept a decline while still cashing enormous checks that limit his team's ability to compete. The problem for Embiid is that injuries are only half the battle. Even when healthy, conditioning has been his Achilles heel. So, not only would he need to stay injury-free, both with his knee and his back, but he would also need to get into the best shape of his life. Anything less, and the Sixers could be doomed to repeat their failures of the past. Embiid is still working his way through a long road of recovery. However, he may also be coming to terms that the NBA chapter of his life is on the final few pages, and that must be a daunting reality to face.

Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces
WNBA

Stephanie White Puts Indiana Fever Players on Notice Despite Win Against Aces

The Indiana Fever’s starters turned in a strong all-around effort in Thursday’s 80-70 win over the Las Vegas Aces. The starting unit scored at least 13 points each, save for Aari McDonald, who registered nine points in 22 minutes of action. Indiana’s starters combined for 76 out of the team’s 80 points on the evening, which only means that the four other players who came off the bench accounted for just four points in the game. All that came from Sydney Colson, who went 2-of-5 in 18 minutes of playing time. Lexie Hull, Makayla Timpson and Damiris Dantas all failed to score in the win. Stephanie White Calls Out Fever's Bench Be that as it may, offense wasn’t even the biggest concern for head coach Stephanie White. In her postgame press conference, the veteran shot-caller called out Indiana’s bench for their lack of intensity on the defensive end, particularly in the first half. “Our bench has to be ready,” she said. “I felt like our bench in the second half was really good defensively. In the first half, I didn't feel that way. You got to be ready to come in and you got to be ready to guard your matchup and execute the game plan. "We have depth for a reason. We've got quality depth and we've got to be able to use it. So if fatigue is a factor in execution, then they just need to ask for a sub and I'll get them out and get them back in." It has been a bit of a busy stretch for the Fever at the midway point of the season. Thursday’s matchup against the Aces was their second game in three nights, and they will be back in action again on Sunday in a rivalry showdown against the Chicago Sky. White, however, isn’t accepting fatigue as an excuse. This is regardless of the fact that Caitlin Clark remains out with a re-aggravated groin injury. White is adamant that this roster has been built for adversity, and she didn’t hesitate to put her bench on notice after Thursday’s showing.

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
MLB

All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe

With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.

Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden Already Has A New Nickname
NFL

Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden Already Has A New Nickname

The Green Bay Packers may have found their next offensive weapon in rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. Just a few days into training camp, Golden has already made a name for himself, earning praise from teammates and coaches alike. Special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia even gave him the nickname “Bullet,” a nod to his blazing speed and dynamic playmaking ability. With expectations high, Golden is showing why he was a first-round pick and why he could be a key piece in the Packers’ offense this season. A Strong Start to Green Bay Packers Training Camp Golden has wasted no time making an impact in his first NFL training camp. His smooth route running and explosive speed have been on full display, drawing attention from both fans and teammates. According to reports, Golden has already been utilized in a variety of ways, including jet sweeps and motion plays, hinting at the versatile role he could play in the Packers’ offense. Rich Bisaccia’s nickname for Golden, “Bullet,” is a reference to former Olympic sprinter and Dallas Cowboys legend Bob “Bullet” Hayes. The comparison is fitting, as Golden’s speed has been a standout trait since his college days. “He’s got that extra gear,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “You can see it in the way he separates from defenders. It’s exciting to think about what he can bring to our offense.” Matthew Golden: College Dominance at Texas Golden’s college career at Texas was nothing short of spectacular. In his final season, he recorded 1,215 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.2 yards per catch. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays in critical moments made him one of the most dangerous receivers in the country. Over his three-year college career, Golden amassed 2,987 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns, solidifying his status as a first-round talent. His performance at the NFL Combine only added to the hype. Golden ran a 4.31-second 40-yard dash, showcasing the elite speed that has already earned him comparisons to some of the league’s top deep threats. His combination of size, speed, and route-running ability made him a no-brainer for the Packers, who were in desperate need of a reliable target for quarterback Jordan Love. Filling a Key Role in the Packers’ Offense The Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver room has undergone significant changes in recent years. With Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL and other young receivers like Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks still developing, Golden has a clear path to playing time. His ability to create separation and make plays downfield could make him a go-to option for Love, especially in critical third-down situations. Golden’s versatility also makes him a valuable asset. Whether lining up in the slot, running jet sweeps, or stretching the field on deep routes, he has the skill set to contribute in multiple ways. “He’s a guy who can do it all,” said veteran running back Josh Jacobs. “You can see the potential. He’s going to be a problem for defenses.” Final Thoughts Matthew Golden’s first week of training camp has been nothing short of impressive. From earning the nickname “Bullet” to showcasing his elite speed and versatility, he’s already proving why the Green Bay Packers invested a first-round pick in him. With his college pedigree and early flashes of brilliance, Golden has the potential to be a game-changer for Green Bay’s offense. As the season approaches, the Packers may have found their next star wide receiver, and the rest of the league should take notice.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!